CR Rae writes about U.S. travel, including family-friendly activities.

How They Warm Up in Kentucky During the Winter!

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By CR Rae

CR Rae writes about U.S. travel, including family-friendly activities. She likes to find unique, off-the-beaten-path things to do in even the biggest cities. Traveling the highways and byways, she finds the dirt on the back roads and the ins and
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CR Rae writes about U.S. travel, including family-friendly activities. She likes to find unique, off-the-beaten-path things to do in even the biggest cities. Traveling the highways and byways, she finds the dirt on the back roads and the ins and outs of some of the most fun and interesting places -- giving you, the traveler, those little tidbits of info to get the most from your travels.

Kentucky is a great place to warm up in the cold of winter...! They call it Bourbons of the Bluegrass...this is a fun, interesting "thing to do" even if you are not a fan of the drink!

The bluegrass area of Kentucky is known for its bourbon distilleries. Actually, 95 percent of the world's supply of bourbon comes from Kentucky, but why? The four seasons of the state make it perfect for the process of making bourbon. The cold winter air forces the barrels to constrict pushing the bourbon that seeped into the wood over the summer back into the belly of the barrel. As it is pushed out of the wood, it brings with it wonderful flavors and that amber color bourbon is known for.

According to the native Kentuckians...they don't claim that the Bourbon was invented in the bluegrass region, however they do claim the first registered distillery was in central Kentucky. That would be the Ashland Distillery that was later known as "Old Tarr". It was built in the mid 1800's and today is the home to Buster's, a popular venue for live music concerts.

Initiatives are underway to develop a distillery district in which the historic buildings would be used for shopping, restaurants, housing and entertainment venues. Located in the heart of the proposed Distillery District, visitors will find Barrel House Distilling Company. Here crafters are making small batch Bourbon, that won't be ready for consumption until 2014.

In Kentucky they call it "America's Official native Spirit" and traveling the Kentucky Bourbon Trail includes not only the spirit of the drink, but the spirit of the area, bluegrass, beautiful scenery, friendly people and, of course horses.

Within 25 miles of Lexington there are four other distilleries. A great way to learn about the process that goes into every bottle of the bourbon is on a tour of one of the five working distilleries, like that of Buffalo Trace. The tour takes you through the process of making the warming spirits, gives you a taste of the amber bourbon and even a taste of their famed bourbon ball candy.

These distilleries have been crafting the finest bourbons for over 200 years, with secret recipes and generations of methods.

The Bourbon Trail was formed in 1999 to give visitors a first hand look at the science and the art of crafting the Bourbon. Also, with a purpose, to educate about the rich history and proud traditions of the spirit. Millions of visitors from all 50 states and 25 countries have traveled the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

As they say in Kentucky...it is where the spirit leads you. Visit www.kybourbontrail.com for more info. Enjoy this video from the Lexington Visitors and Convention Bureau.